Jim Ireland

Director of Development, San Antonio Opera

Jim Ireland was born and raised in Charleston, WV, where he studied piano, voice, and organ. He received an undergraduate degree in business administration and a master of music degree from the prestigious College-Conservatory of Music in Cincinnati. After additional language studies and a stint as Assistant Dean, he was selected as a member of the inaugural class of the National Endowment for the Arts Fellowship Program where he remained for nine years, holding several positions, including Assistant Director of Music Programs, Budget Officer, and Founding Director of the Opera/Musical Theater Program. He left Washington, D.C. to become David Gockley's second-in-command at Houston Grand Opera as Producing Director; in his many years there he variously supervised production/technical, music administration, Houston Opera Studio, Finance and Administration, union relations, media activity, and national/international touring. He was active in bringing to fruition the new Wortham Theater Center, and was Manager of the Wortham Center Operating Company.

Ireland has held other executive level positions in the performing arts including President/CEO of Orlando Opera and Managing Director of Hartford Stage and was chair of the national opera contract negotiations with AGMA. Looking toward retirement, Ireland selected San Antonio, TX, as the city in which he wants to live; he consequently accepted a position in fundraising with the city's opera company.

Ireland is a frequent speaker/panelist/consultant nationally and regionally, member of nonprofit Boards and negotiating teams, and judge for the annual Metropolitan Opera National Council auditions for young singers.